Michigan was in control early, knocking in a couple of FGs and scoring a TD late in the 2nd quarter to go up 13-0. The Irish got the ball back with less than 30 secs to go in the half... and thats when it all started clicking. ND hit a couple of big passes and with just a few ticks left on the clock came this play to end the first half and get ND on the scoreboard.
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13-7 Mich at the half.

The second half would bring quite a bit of action. The teams traded scores and Michigan began driving with under 2 minutes to go in the 4th Q down 29-26. After a few crucial conversions (including a 4th and long) Michigan was deep into Irish territory, with 3 timeouts, 40 secs left on the clock and 3 timeouts in their pocket. Clearly in the drivers seat... except this happened:

When interviewed after the game, the Irish coach Omnibird talked about his teams performance:

Its always tough to step in week 1 and play a team of Michigans caliber... but this is Notre Dame and thats how our schedule works out.
I felt like the team came out a bit nervous and we made some mistakes early, but we got into a groove later.

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Coach, what was your offensive gameplan coming in?

They had a very talented defense, so I wanted to give them a variety of looks to keep them guessing. I'm a bit dissapointed in our run game, but we did lose our starting RB to injury.

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What jumps out at you?

QB Robinson is one fast kid. Im very proud of our LBs for keeping him in check most of the game. Especially McDonald that had the duty of spying him for most of the game. McDonald had a hell of a game, containing Robinson and making that pick at the end of the game. Game ball goes to him.

The game was extremely entertaining as both teams put points up on the board at will.

The crucial play of the game came with around 2 minutes left in the game, tied at 35, ND ball well into Nebraska territory. ND QB Crist made a bad decision on what proved to be one of the very few as he was on fire most of the game (15of17 for 303yds 2TD and 2INT).The play ended up turning the ball over to Nebraska where they would drive the length of the field and put in a chip shot field goal to seal the deal as time expired.

[Confession, I hit the wrong button on that play as I had a receiver wide open... i'll probably kick myself a couple times for it].

The ND defense will have to step it up if the Irish hope to play in a BCS bowl this year.

Hats off to Shadow as he played a heck of a game, keeping me guessing all game. By the way, what playbook is that? Its got some crazy formations.

The polls were released immediately following the game, Nebraska is now ranked #1 and ND drops to #14.

Record setting day
Notre Dame put up arcade style yardage, gaining 674 yards of total offense (176 rushing, 498 passing). A huge day for QB Dayne Crist has he went 27-41 for 498 yds, 6TDs and 0 INTS.

Notre Dame went up early 28-7. At that point Texas had a few big plays going to WR Monroe for three big plays for 80 yards. It appeared that their offense was starting to click but they sputtered in the redzone, settling for two field goals.

ND coach made some adjustments and benched SR CB Bennett.

The Backups
The backups trotted out onto the field in the early fourth Q, Texas quickly scored and made the game interesting.

2nd string RB Maxwell did a great job chewing up the clock, running for 64yds on 6 carries. He was subbed out in the redzone and 3rd string RB Kelly managed to punch it in for his first career score.

Heisman Hopeful?
WR Shaquelle Evans came into the week #3 on the early season Heisman watchlist. He had his breakout game this week as he more than doubled his output in his previous 2 games combined.

Q1:
-Irish defer and Bama takes kickoff down to Irish 40. Bama gets a quick score on a short field. 7-0 Bama.
-Irish answer quickly with a familiar combination: Crist to Evans. 7-7.
-Next possession the Irish cause a fumble and recover in plus territory. ND connects again with the same combo, Crist to Evans. 14-7 ND.
-Bama then drives the field and ties it at 14.
-On the ensuiing possession, ND fumbles and gives Bama great field position.

2nd Q:
-Bama settles for a FG to go up 17-14.
-ND once again drives the field and hooks up again: Crist to Evans. 21-17 ND.
-Bama again goes the length of the field, aided by some big plays. 24-21 Bama. What a shootout.
-4th and 1 with under a minute left in the half, the Irish at the Bama 35yd line.They barely make it on a 2nd effort by the HB. The drive turns into 7 more... guess what? Crist to Evans. Bama has no answer for Shaquelle Evans.

ND28-Bama24 at the half. Defense? Defense? Hello, defense?

3rd Q:
-ND Drives the field and scores to go up 35-24. This time on a run by RB Wood. Can the Irish defense step up and put the game away?
-Bama goes on a 16 play scoring drive where they ran right at ND. 35-31.
-Crist later finds Walker on a PA pass to go up 42-31. Crist is having an amazing day.

4th Q:
-Bama answers quickly and converts a 2pt coversion. 42-39 ND.
-ND finds WR Perry on a quick slant that goes for 60 yards. ND 49-39. 3:30 left on the clock.-ND recovers a fumble at midfield!!!
-A few first downs later and the game is won.

ND 49, Bama 39.

Player of the game:
QB Dayne Crist
25 of 27 passing for 424 yards, 6TDs and 0 Ints.

The game was much, much closer than the score indicates. ND was up 21-17 at the half and 31-24 at the end of the 3rd quarter... and then the wheels fell off the the Midshipmen wagon.

ND would score 21 points in the first 3 minutes of the fourth quarter to seal the deal 52-24.

Navy came out with a heavy blitzing scheme that was clogging up all the running lanes, so ND took advantage by once again burning their opponents through the air.

"I really don't want to have to rely exclusively on the pass to move the ball, but teams are coming out and taking away the run so we have to go to the air," said coach when asked about his prolific passing attack and sub par running game of the past few weeks.

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Player of the game: QB Dayne Crist
...who was 27-41 for 375yds, 5TDs and 0 Int. Crist is 3rd in the Heisman race, and we can only expect his stock to rise after this type of performance.

The ND defense did a great job, for most of the day, at limiting the USC offense. USC had less than 200 yards of total offense and only 5 first downs on the day. Nevertheless, ND gave up the big play on more than one ocassion.

The ND offense was once again prolific, but sputtered a bit in the redzone.

ND hit a FG with about 1minute left to go up 27-21. USC got the ball and had a chance to win it. On 3rd down they threw a bomb downfield that was almost intercepted. On fourth down they found an open receiver crossing in the middle, but the ball was jarred loose with a big hit by the safety. That sealed the victory.

Season wrapup:
That was the regular season finale. ND closes out the season at 11-1, with the only loss coming in a dogfight to #2 Nebraska.
Before the final regular season polls come out, ND is ranked #3 in the BCS. ND awaits patiently the results of the CCG to see if they will sneak in the backdoor to the big dance.

FSU started out hot, going up 12-7 (2 TDs but missed both extra points!). That seemed to turn the momentum to ND. Then came a huge blow as star QB Dayne Crist was hit hard by the MLB on a blitz who came untouched. Crist was out for the game in the early 2nd Q.

The game ball now rested in the hands of inexperienced walkon Nick Montana (son of Joe). Instead of relying on the unproven phenom, ND would turn to their 2nd string RB (as 1st string HB is out for the year). Maxwell answered bigtime!!!

Game ball goes to RB Maxwell, who ended with the following line:
26car for 238yds, 3TD,
1catch for 11yd